SELECT
CLASSIFICATIONS

OVER AND UNDER

SEMI-AUTO

SIDE BY SIDE

OVER AND UNDER

Over-and-under is by far the most popular choice of shotgun among today’s game shooters.

It took until just before World War I for a marketable over-and-under to be developed by which time London and Birmingham gunmakers were experimenting with the design.

In 1909 the famous gunmakers founded by Thomas Boss was the first to devise an over-and-under. The Woodward followed in 1913 as did Frederick Beesley’s ‘shotover’ and in America, it is John Browning’s ‘superimposed’ design which captured the imagination.

SIDE BY SIDE

Traditionalists will undoubtedly choose a side-by-side shotgun with its undeniable elegance and style.

The first game shotguns were produced in the 17th century and were single barrelled but as the sport grew in popularity so the advantage of a quick second barrel gained ground. Barrels held together by soldering first appeared in France in the 1730s.

London gunmaker Frederick Beesley’s 1880 side-by-side hammerless gun patent, which was bought by Purdey, is often referred to as the design which perfected the side-by-side.

AYA - #4 Boxlock (Pair)

AYA - #4 Boxlock

Beretta - A400 Xtreme Unico

Beretta - A400 Lite

Stoeger - M3000

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